Have fun in college with Greg and Ethan. A review for Out in the Open by A.J. Truman

Title: Out in the OpenAuthor: A.J. TrumanPublisher: self published Genre: new adult, contemporary romanceRating: 4 out of 5Source: copy provided by the author
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Blurb: College sophomore Ethan Follett never says what’s on his mind and never wants to rock the boat. After a high school social life spent anonymous and alone, things are finally falling into place for him. He’s found a group of friends just as studious as he, and is on track for a promising legal career. Out in the open, things couldn’t be better, but secretly Ethan yearns for some real excitement in his life.

He finds it in cocky frat boy Greg Sanderson, who challenges every rigid, preconceived notion Ethan lives by. Soon, their sparring relationship turns sexual, and these enemies-with-benefits get their freak on all over campus. Yet the more Ethan comes out of his shell, the more Greg retreats into his, working overtime to keep his ladies man public persona intact. As the sex gets hotter, and they get closer to getting caught, one part of their arrangement can’t stay hidden any longer: love.

Review: Out in the Open is a book I had for a long while, but completely forgot to review. Such a shame too, because it is a first-class book to read and the story completely surprised me.

Out in the Open is the tale of Ethan and Greg, at first glance polar opposites, but with an undeniable attraction between them. Ethan was the typical high school social outcast, but he is determined to change this in college. Greg on the other hand, is already there with his status as frat boy and ladies man. A status he tries desperately to keep – you can guess why. There is more to both boys than meets the eye and they have more in common than they think. Question is, can they overcome the obstacles between them?

Out in the Open is a refreshing story that portrays college life as it is, and not with characters that are perfect. These guys have fun, party, get drunk, get into stupid fights and do stupid things. The book portrays them as they are: young men taking their first steps as grown-ups. I thought this was beautifully done.

Especially with Ethan. We see him grow throughout the story and come out of his shell and become more his own person than the shy, over-achiever, insecure boy we meet in the beginning. In that regard this book is very much a coming of age story.

This also rings true for Greg. Who clings a little too hard to his college persona. Fortunately we see this persona crack bit by (funny) bit throughout the story.

I very much enjoyed reading this well written story and I liked the ending. There were some very funny bits in the story. Nooooo, I’m not sharing. You want to know, pick up the story! Don’t worry, there is also angst and drama, so all in all it’s a good mix.

Why you should read it:Out in the Open is definitely a story for those who like coming of age stories set in college. It’s a fun story to read and well written to boot. Out in the Open is a book I can definitely recommend!